Loose leaf binder



March 26, 1935. GfH. DAWSON ET A1.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed DGO. 28, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l a 5M E R6 6 Y mwa M, NE R mow m4 WZ. M E D 6E PQ wf G w March 26, 1935.

G. H. DAWSON El' AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Dec. 28, 1935 3 sheetshee't 2 I N VEN TOR GEORGE H. DWSO/V FP50 D. WEDGE ATTORNEY. i

March 26, 1935. G. H. DAWSON ET AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed. Dec.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INI 'ENTORS GEO/96E H. DAM/50N mm FRED D. WEDGE .1I TTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 26g, 1935 PATENT OFFICE LOOSE LEAF BINDER George H. Dawson, Chicago, and Fred D. Wedge,

Lombard, Ill., rassignors to Wilson-Jones Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 28, 1933, Serial No. 7704,264 14 Claims. (Cl. 129-13) This invention relates tolooselleaf binders, and moreparticularly to binders of the compression type having back members which may be adjusted to, accommodate different` thicknesses of n It is an object yof this invention to provide a binder capable of holding various quantities of sheets firmly 'under compression and `having means Vfor readily releasing the compression so that the contents may be removed or inserted as a unit. It is a further object of this invention to provide means for permitting the removal or addition of sheets tothe contents without disturbing the orderly arrangement `of `the rest ofy the sheets. It is a further object of this invention to provide a compressible binder in which the parts can be expanded without complete separation. It is a further object of this invention to provide sheet holding prongs that can be easily aligned to engage registering `apertures in a plurality of sheets and in which the danger of accidental separation is minimized. It is a further object of this invention to provide a compressible binder with a One piece cover construction. Other objects ofthis invention will become apparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with `the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying this invention, with parts broken away to facilitate illustration of the structural details; v

Figure 2 is an enlarged crosssectional view taken on the line II-II of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the binderback with parts broken away;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the back metals before assembly;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line V-,V of Figure 3; Y,

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing the sheet retaining structure;

Figure?y is a view similar toFigure 6 showing a modied form of sheet retaining prong;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 2, but with the contents removed, illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention;

v Figure 9 is a plan view of the binder back of another modified embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a cross ,section taken on the line X--X of Figure 9 with parts removed to facilitate the illustration of the structural details that are modified;A 1

Figure ll'is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of a modified form of -ily sheet; and

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 illustrating another form of fly sheet.

In the drawings the reference numeral 2 indicates a back member of leather, fabric, or similar material, having a pair of covers 3 integral therewith. A metal strip 4 is permanently secured to the back member 2 by means of a fabric strip 5 which is wider than the metal strip- 4 and is sewed to the back member 2 on opposite sides of the metal strip. The strip 4 is spaced slightly from the center of the back member to allow for expansion of the binder mechanism.

, A plurality of fastening elements 6 projectfrom the metal strip 4 through the fabric strip 5. The

fastening elements 6 are preferably rivets or eyelets, but may 'be tongues struck out from the metal strip itself. A back plate 'l is provided with a plurality of apertures 8 in registration with the fastening elements 6. The fastening elements 6 project through the back plate 'l and are bent thereagainst to rhold the back plate rigidly in contact with the back member 2. v

The back plate 'l is provided with an extension 9 at each end. The extensions 9 are bent soJ as to overlie the main bodyportion of the back plate '7 and are spaced a slight distance thereabove. Each extension 9 is apertured, as indicated at l0. A locking slide 11 is provided with a pair of lugs 12 bent up at its ends and adapted to fit in the apertures 10. The distancel between the lugs 12 is slightly greater than the' distance between the inner edges of the apertures 10 so that the locking slide may be moved a predetermined distance longitudinally of the back plate '7. The lugs 12 are each adapted to be used as nger pieces so that the locking slide may be moved from either end.

The locking slide 11 is slightly bowed at each end, as indicated at 13, Figure 5, to increase the security of the locking slide 11 and to facilitate the securement of a second back plate 14 to the binder. The locking slide may be the same length as the back plate 7, but it is preferably shorter so that one finger piece 12 is always positioned adjacent to the inner edge of one aperture 10. Accordingly, a casual glance is suicient to indicate which finger pieceshould be pushed to move the locking slide to its proper position'.

, The back plate 14 is adapted to be positioned between the back plate 7 and the locking slide 11. The locking slide 11 has a depending projection 15 adjacent each end thereof, The back plate 14 has a series of projections 16 near each end extending substantially across the entire width ofthe back plate, and a single projection 17 adjacent the inner edge of the back plate and on one side of each series of projections 16. The longitudinal movement of the locking slide 11 is limited so that the projections 15 must always be in the path of travel of the series of projections 16 or of the single projections 17.

When. the projections 15 are in locking engagement with the series of projections 16, the back plates cannot be expanded, but may be moved inwardly to compress the contents of the binder. The locking slide may be pushed out of locking position so that the projections 15 lie in the path of travel of the projections 17. In this` position the back plates may be expanded until the projections 15 and 17 interengage. It is obvious that complete separation of the back plates is impossible, because the projections l5 can never be moved beyond the line of tra-vel of the projections 16 and 17.

The back plates 7 and 14 are provided on their outer edges with integral` side Walls 18 and 19, respectively. The side wall 18) is provided with a flange 20 bent at right angles thereto and extending inwardly. The side wall 19 is provided with a similar flange 21. The flanges 20 and 2l are notched at a plurality of staggered points, as indicated at 22 and 23, respectively, for a purpose hereinafter described.

The sheet retaining meansy consists of a pair of fly sheets 24, eachl of which is permanently secured to a prong carrying bar 25 by means of a metal strip 26 which is folded around the prong' carrying bar 25 and the inner edge of the fly sheet to clamp them together. A plurality of prongs 27 are formed integral withr the prong carrying bar 25 and project therefrom at right angles in a plane slightly higher than the edge of the bar. The ily sheets are apertured, as indicated at 28, and the prongs 27 extend through said apertures. A plurality of sheets 2'9 having! apertures registering with the prongs 27 are impaled on said prongs to constitute the filler for the binder.

M shown in Figure 6, the' overall height of the prong carrying bar 25 and the metal strip 26 clamped therearound is approximately equal to the height of the side walls 18 and. 19,. sothat the sheet retaining means fits snugly between the flange and the back plate. The notches 22 and 23 register with the prongs 27 so as to` facilitate positioning of the sheet retaining. means. The prongs 27 and the notches 22 and 23 are so arranged that any prong carrying bar may be held one way and its prongs will fit in one set of notches. If the prong bar is reversed, the prongs will fit in the other set of notches. This interchangeability of prong carrying bars effects a great economy in production and assembly of the completed binders.

The ily sheets do not have to be permanently secured: to the prong carrying bars, but this construction is preferred because it practically eliminates the possibility of losing the prong carrying bars. It also facilitates the removal of the contents of the binder as a unit because it isi-possible, by pressing the fly sheets, to move the prong carrying bars away from the flanges. Otherwise the' prong carrying bars may stick in' position and interfere with the removal of the sheets, or one of the bars may stick and separate from the sheets when the sheets are removed from the binder, thus destroying the orderly arrangement of the sheets. They securement of the fly sheets to the prongcarrying bars also facilitates the positioning of the prong carrying bars with respect to the sheets because it eliminates the possibility of i'ri-i verting the bars.

As shown in Figure 7, the sheet retaining means may be modified by substituting round prongs 30 for the flat prongs 27. 'I'he prongs 30 are formed exactly like the prongs 27 except that they are cut transversely adjacent the prong carrying bar 25; as indicated at 31, so that they caribe bent into round shape. The use of round prongs is sometimes desirable because of the resultant economy in using sheets with round apertures instead of the rectangular apertures shown in the other embodiments of the invention.

If desired, the back plate 7 may be secured directly to the back member 2 by means of rivets 32 or other suitable' fastening means, as indicated in Figure 8. This method of securement is cheaper' than' described in connection with the preferred embodiment of this invention, but has the disadvantage of having the rivet heads or other fastening elements exposed on the outer surface of the back member. It is also possible to omit the outer' covers and back member altogether, but in this case. it is generally' desirable to substitute a heavier material for the ily sheets.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 1G, the sidewalls 33 are'v provided with continuous flanges 34.l The side walls are provided with integral projections 35 at each end'. These projections may be formed by bending over extensions from the ends of the side walls 33, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, or similar projections may be 'formed by bending up an extension from the back plate itself. projections 35 facilitates positioning of the contents of the binder and pr'event longitudinal movement of the contents because the prong carrying bars 38 are adapted to abut the'- projections 35 at each end. In' this modmed construction, the' prongs 31' extendl at right angles fiush with the top edge of the prong carrying bar 36.-

'I'he fly sheet 38 illustrated in: Figure 11 has itsed'ge 39v thickened to prevent it from being pulled away from the metal' strip 40 clamping it' to the prong. carrying bar ii-l.v The thickened edge portion 39 is adapted to be forced into a small space 42 between the back edge of theprong. carrying bar 41 and the metal clamping strip 40. The edge 39 of the ily sheet may be thickened in any suitable manner, but we pref-'er to dip it into an enamel to provide a coating that will stick to the edge of the sheet.

In' Figure I2 the fly sheet 43 has its inner edge 44 thickened by being bent back upon itself and secured in place by gluing or stitching'. The metal clamping strip 45 is provided with an edge 46 slightly wider thanv thickness of the prong carrying bar 47. The doubled edge 44 of the ily sheet abutsthe' projecting edge 46 to prevent separation of the fly sheet from the prong carrying bar.

Although wey have described a few embodiments of various structural features of our invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative rather than restrictive, as many detailsmay be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of our inlvention. Accordingly, we do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described, except as limited by the appended claims.

We claim:

l.. In a looser leal binder, aback member@ back plate rigidly secured to said back member, a seeond back platet movably' secured to sad first mentioned back plate, a' lockmg slide extending longitudinally of said back plates, said locking slide being adapted to retain said back plates against outward movement at any point within the limits of travel of said plates, cooperating means on said locking slide and one of said back plates to prevent complete separation of said back plates, an upstanding side wall extending along the outer edge of each of said back plates, and sheet retainingmeans removably secured between said side walls.

2. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of complementary back plates, said back plates being movable transversely relatively to each other, a locking slide, cooperating means on said locking slide and one of said back plates to prevent complete separation of said back plates, a pair of side Walls projecting from the outer longitudinal edges of said plates, and sheet retaining means removably secured between said side walls.

3. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back plates, an integral side wall projecting from the outer longitudinal edge of each plate, and sheet retaining means removably secured between said side walls, said sheet retaining means including a longitudinal bar and a plurality of prongs extending upwardly from the upper edge of said bar and bent at right angles to the bar in a plane slightly higher than the upper edge of said bar, and said side walls being provided with flanges notched to register with said prongs.

4. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back plates, one of said back plates being provided with a series of projections, a locking slide secured to said other back plate, means on said locking slide projecting out of the plane of said slide and movable into engagement with said series of projections to prevent outward movement of said back plates, and separate means on said one back plate cooperating with said rst mentioned means to prevent complete separation of said Iback plates when said first mentioned means is out of engagement with said series of projections.

5. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back plates, one of said back plates being provided with a series of projections, a locking slide secured to said other back plate, a projection on said locking slide movable into engagement with said series of projections to prevent outward movement of said back plates, and a projection on said first mentioned back plate adapted to cooperate with said projection on said locking slide to prevent complete separation of said back plates when said locking slide is out of engagement with said series of projections.

6. In a loose leaf binder, a back plate, a locking slide secured to said back plate, means on said backl plate to limit longitudinal movement of said slide, a second back plate positioned between said first mentioned back plate and said slide, a series of projections on said second mentioned back plate, a projection on said slide movable into and out of locking engagement with said series of projections to prevent or to permit outward movement of said back plates, and means on said second mentioned back plate cooperating with the projection on said locking slide to prevent complete separation of said back plates when the projection on said locking slide is out of locking engagement with said series of projections.

7. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a back plate rigidly secured to said back member, a

locking slide secured to said back plate, a projection on said locking slide, a second back plate positioned between said locking slide and said first mentioned back plate, a series of projections on said second mentioned back plate, and means for manipulating said locking slide from either end to move said projection into and out of engagement with said series of projections.

8. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back plates, a pair of side walls projecting from the outer longitudinal edges of said back plates, a flange on each of said side walls, a prong carrying bar secured between each ba'ck plate and its flange, and a fly sheet secured to each prong carrying bar, said y sheet having an abutment adjacent said prong carrying bar to facilitate securement to said bar.

9. In a loose leaf binder, a cover member, sheet retaining means secured to said cover member, said means including a prong carrying bar, a ily sheet having one edge positioned adjacent said bar, and a metal strip folded to clamp said fly sheet to said bar.

10. In a loose leaf binder, a metal back plate,y a side Wall projecting from the outer longitudinal edge of said back plate, a flange on said side wall, and sheet retaining means including a prong carrying bar, a sheet of material having one edge positioned adjacent said bar, and a metal strip folded to clamp said sheetto said bar, said metal strip being adapted to fit snugly between said back plate and said flange.

11. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back plates, a side wall projecting from the outer longitudinal edge of each plate, and sheet retaining means secured between said side walls, said sheet retaining means including a longitudinal bar, a plurality of prongs extending transversely from said bar, a sheet of material impaled on said prongs, and a metal plate clamping said bar and said sheet together.

12. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a metal strip, a plurality of fastening elements projecting from said strip, a strip of fabric or similar material covering said metal strip and stitched to said back member to permanently secure said metal strip to said back member, and a pair of movably interconnected back plates, one kof said back plates having a plurality of apertures through which said fastening elements project, said fastening elements being bent against said back plate to secure said back plate to said back member.

13. In a loose leaf binder, sheet retaining means including a bar, a plurality of prongs carried by said bar, a fly sheet impaled on said prongs, and a metal strip folded to clamp said ily sheet to said bar.

14. In a loose leaf binder, a back plate, a locking slide secured to said back plate, said locking slide being movable to either of two positions, and a second back plate positioned between said rst mentioned back plate and said locking slide, cooperating means on said locking slide and said second mentioned back plate to prevent outward movement of said back plates when said locking slide is in one position and to permit outward movement but prevent complete separation of said back plates when said locking slide is in its other position.

GEORGE H. DAWSON. FRED D. WEDGE. 

